Apparatus, method and article for collection, charging and distributing power storage devices, such as batteries

ABSTRACT

A collection, charging and distribution machine collects, charges and distributes portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, super- or ultracapacitors). To charge, the machine employs electrical current from an external source, such as the electrical grid or an electrical service of an installation location. The machine determines a first number of devices to be rapidly charged, employing charge from a second number of devices identified to sacrifice charge. Thus, some devices may be concurrently charged via current from the electrical service and current from other devices, to achieve rapid charging of some subset of devices. The devices that sacrifice charge may later be charged. Such may ensure availability of devices for end users.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the filingdate of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,900 entitled“APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTINGPOWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES” and filed Jul. 26, 2011, U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/647,936 entitled “APPARATUS,METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTING POWERSTORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES” and filed May 16, 2012, U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/534,753 entitled “APPARATUS,METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR REDISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH ASBATTERIES, BETWEEN COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINES” andfiled Sep. 14, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.61/534,761 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION,SECURITY AND CONTROL OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES SUCH AS BATTERIES” andfiled Sep. 14, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.61/534,772 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION,SECURITY AND CONTROL OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES, BASEDON USER PROFILES” and filed Sep. 14, 2011, U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/511,887 entitled “THERMAL MANAGEMENT OFCOMPONENTS IN ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE VEHICLES” and filed Jul. 26, 2011,U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/647,941 entitled“THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF COMPONENTS IN ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE VEHICLES” andfiled May 16, 2012, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.61/511,880 entitled “DYNAMICALLY LIMITING VEHICLE OPERATION FOR BESTEFFORT ECONOMY” and filed Jul. 26, 2011, U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/557,170 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD, AND ARTICLEFOR PHYSICAL SECURITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES IN VEHICLES” and filedNov. 8, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/581,566entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR A POWER STORAGE DEVICECOMPARTMENT” and filed Dec. 29, 2011, U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/601,404 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLEFOR PROVIDING VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC DATA” and filed Feb. 21, 2012, U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/601,949 entitled “APPARATUS,METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING LOCATIONS OF POWER STORAGE DEVICECOLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINES” and filed Feb. 22, 2012,and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/601,953 entitled“APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION REGARDINGAVAILABILITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES AT A POWER STORAGE DEVICECOLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINE” and filed Feb. 22, 2012.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to the distribution ofrechargeable electrical power storage devices (e.g., secondarybatteries, super- or ultracapacitors), which may be suitable for use ina variety of fields or applications, for instance transportation andnon-transportation uses.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are a wide variety of uses or applications for portable electricalpower storage devices.

One such application is in the field of transportation. Hybrid and allelectrical vehicles are becoming increasing common. Such vehicles mayachieve a number of advantages over traditional internal combustionengine vehicles. For example, hybrid or electrical vehicles may achievehigher fuel economy and may have little or even zero tail pipepollution. In particular, all electric vehicles may not only have zerotail pipe pollution, but may be associated with lower overall pollution.For example, electrical power may be generated from renewable sources(e.g., solar, hydro). Also for example, electrical power may begenerated at generation plants that produce no air pollution (e.g.,nuclear plants). Also for example, electrical power may be generated atgeneration plants that burn relatively “clean burning” fuels (e.g.,natural gas), which have higher efficiency than internal combustionengines, and/or which employ pollution control or removal systems (e.g.,industrial air scrubbers) which are too large, costly or expensive foruse with individual vehicles.

Personal transportation vehicles such as combustion engine poweredscooters and/or motorbikes are ubiquitous in many places, for example inthe many large cities of Asia. Such scooters and/or motorbikes tend tobe relatively inexpensive, particular as compared to automobiles, carsor trucks. Cities with high numbers of combustion engine scooters and/ormotorbikes also tend to be very densely populated and suffer from highlevels of air pollution. When new, many combustion engine scootersand/or motorbikes are equipped a relatively low polluting source ofpersonal transportation. For instance, such scooters and/or motorbikesmay have higher mileage ratings than larger vehicles. Some scootersand/or motorbikes may even be equipped with basic pollution controlequipment (e.g., catalytic converter). Unfortunately, factory specifiedlevels of emission are quickly exceeded as the scooters and/ormotorbikes are used and either not maintained and/or as the scootersand/or motorbikes are modified, for example by intentional orunintentional removal of catalytic converters. Often owners or operatorsof scooters and/or motorbikes lack the financial resources or themotivation to maintain their vehicles.

It is known that air pollution has a negative effect on human health,being associated causing or exacerbating with various diseases (e.g.,various reports tie air pollution to emphysema, asthma, pneumonia,cystic fibrosis as well as various cardiovascular diseases). Suchdiseases take large numbers of lives and severely reduce the quality oflife of countless others.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Zero tail pipe alternatives to combustion engines would greatly benefitthe air quality, and hence health of large populations.

While the zero tail pipe emissions benefit of all-electric vehicles areappreciated, adoption of all-electric vehicles by large populations hasbeen slow. One of the reasons appears to be the cost, particularly thecost of secondary batteries. Another one of the reasons appears to bethe limited driving range available on a single charge of a battery, andthe relatively long time (e.g., multiple hours) necessary to recharge asecondary battery when depleted.

The approaches described herein may address some of the issues whichhave limited adoption of zero tailpipe emission technology, particularlyin densely crowded cities, and in populations with limited financialresources.

For example, some of the approaches described herein employ collection,charging and distribution machines, which may be otherwise be termed askiosks or vending machines, to collect, charge and distribute electricalpower storage devices (e.g., batteries, super- or ultracapacitors). Suchmachines may be distributed about a city or other region at a variety oflocations, such as convenience stores or existing gas or petrol fillingstations.

The collection, charging and distribution machines may maintain a stockof fully charged or almost fully charged electrical storage devices foruse by end users. The collection, charging and distribution machines maycollect, receive or otherwise accept depleted electrical storagedevices, for example as returned by end users, recharging such for reuseby subsequent end users.

Thus, as a battery or other electrical power storage device reachesapproaches the end of its stored charge, an end user may simply replace,exchange or otherwise swap batteries or other electrical power storagedevices. This may address issues related to cost, as well as limitedrange and relatively long recharging times.

As previously noted, secondary batteries and other electrical powerstorage devices are relatively expensive. Thus, it is beneficial tostock the least number of electrical power storage devices as possible,while still ensuring that demand for such is satisfied.

For these reasons, the ability to recharge quickly and have electricalpower storage devices available is important to commercial success ofany such endeavor. A number of approaches are described herein to allowquick recharging of electrical power storage devices. Such approachesgenerally recharge selected ones of a number of electrical power storagedevices using power from an electrical service, as well as power fromother ones of the electrical power storage devices selected to sacrificecharge. For example, less fully charged batteries may be used to morequickly charge more fully charged batteries. Alternatively, more fullycharged batteries may be used to more quickly charge less fully chargedbatteries.

These approaches may be beneficial where the electrical service islimited, for example limited to a particular rating (e.g., 120 volts,240 volts, 220 volts, 230 volts, 15 amps). Such may be particularlyadvantageous where collection, charging and distribution machines willbe located at existing locations, such as retail or convenience stores.This may allow collection, charging and distribution machines to beinstalled without the expense of an upgraded electrical services, yetstill achieve quicker or faster charging than could otherwise beachieved using only the existing electrical service. For example, thismay avoid the need to increase electrical service from 120 volts to 240volts and/or to go from single phase service to three phase service.These approaches may also be beneficial when electrical service tospecific locations or the power grid is limited or not operating, forexample due to maintenance, technical problems, weather, naturaldisaster and the like. When the electrical service or power grid islimited or not operating, the approaches described herein used to chargecertain electrical energy storage devices may use a larger number of asecond number of electrical energy storage devices to charge a firstnumber of electrical energy storage devices compared to the number ofthe second number of electrical energy storage devices that are used tocharge the first number of electrical energy storage devices when theelectrical service and/or power grid are available and operational.

A method of operating a distribution, collection and charging machinesfor distribution, collection and charging of portable electrical energystorage devices, may be summarized as including identifying by a controlsubsystem a first number of portable electrical energy storage devicescurrently removably located at a first distribution, collection andcharging machine to be charged at an accelerated rate relative to atleast a second number of portable electrical energy storage devicescurrently removably located at the first distribution, collection andcharging machine; charging by a charging subsystem the first number ofportable electrical energy storage devices via an electrical service,where the electrical service has an associated limiting rating; andcharging by the charging subsystem the first number of portableelectrical energy storage devices via energy supplied from at least thesecond number of portable electrical energy storage devices concurrentlywith the charging of the first number of portable electrical energystorage devices via the electrical service.

Identifying a first number of portable electrical energy storage devicescurrently removably located at a first distribution, collection andcharging machine to be charged at an accelerated rate relative to atleast a second number of portable electrical energy storage devicescurrently removably located at the first distribution, collection andcharging machine may include identifying for accelerated charging atleast one portable electrical energy storage device which is overhalfway to being fully charged.

The method of operating a distribution, collection and charging machinesmay further include identifying as part of the second number of portableelectrical energy storage devices at least one portable electricalenergy storage device which is less than halfway to being fully charged.

The method of operating a distribution, collection and charging machinesmay further include identifying as part of the second number of portableelectrical energy storage devices any portable electrical energy storagedevice which are below a first threshold of being fully charged andwhich are also above a second threshold of being fully depleted.

Identifying a first number of portable electrical energy storage devicescurrently removably located at a first distribution, collection andcharging machine to be charged at an accelerated rate relative to atleast a second number of portable electrical energy storage devicescurrently removably located at the first distribution, collection andcharging machine may include identifying for accelerated charging atleast one portable electrical energy storage device which is more fullycharged than at least another portable electrical energy storage device.

Charging the first number of portable electrical energy storage devicesvia energy supplied from at least the second number of portableelectrical energy storage devices concurrently with the charging via theelectrical service includes charging may include charging at least onemore fully charged portable electrical energy storage device usingenergy from at least one less fully charged portable electrical energystorage device.

Identifying a first number of portable electrical energy storage devicescurrently removably located at a first distribution, collection andcharging machine to be charged at an accelerated rate relative to atleast a second number of portable electrical energy storage devicescurrently removably located at the first distribution, collection andcharging machine may include identifying for accelerated charging atleast one portable electrical energy storage device which is less thanhalfway to being fully charged, and identifying as part of the secondnumber of portable electrical energy storage devices at least anotherportable electrical energy storage device which is more than halfway tobeing fully charged.

The method of operating a distribution, collection and charging machinesmay further include identifying as part of the second number of portableelectrical energy storage devices at least one portable electricalenergy storage device which is more than halfway to being fully charged.

The method of operating a distribution, collection and charging machinesmay further include identifying as part of the second number of portableelectrical energy storage devices any portable electrical energy storagedevices which are more than approximately 75 percent fully charged, forexample at least 80 percent or at least 85 percent charged.

Identifying a first number of portable electrical energy storage devicescurrently removably located at a first distribution, collection andcharging machine to be charged at an accelerated rate relative to atleast a second number of portable electrical energy storage devicescurrently removably located at the first distribution, collection andcharging machine may include identifying for accelerated charging atleast one portable electrical energy storage device which is less fullycharged than at least another portable electrical energy storage device.

Charging the first number of portable electrical energy storage devicesvia energy supplied from at least the second number of portableelectrical energy storage devices concurrently with the charging via theelectrical service includes charging may include charging at least onemore fully charged portable electrical energy storage devices usingenergy from at least one less fully charged portable electrical energystorage device.

The method of operating a distribution, collection and charging machinesmay further include identifying as part of the second number of portableelectrical energy storage devices at least one portable electricalenergy storage device which is to sacrifice charge.

The method of operating a distribution, collection and charging machinesmay further include removably receiving an at least partially dischargedportable electrical energy storage device at a first position of thefirst distribution, collection and charging machine at a first time, andwherein the identifying the first number of portable electrical energystorage devices currently removably located at a first distribution,collection and charging machine to be charged at an accelerated rate isperformed in response to the receiving of the at least partiallydischarged portable electrical energy storage device at the firstposition of the first distribution, collection and charging machine atthe first time.

Removably receiving an at least partially discharged portable electricalenergy storage device at a first position of the first distribution,collection and charging machine at a first time may include removablyreceiving a battery sized to power a personal vehicle.

The method of operating a distribution, collection and charging machinesmay further include detecting an insertion of a portable electricalenergy storage device at one of a plurality of positions of the firstdistribution, collection and charging machine; and determining a chargestate of the inserted portable electrical energy storage device.

The method of operating a distribution, collection and charging machinesmay further include repeatedly updating the portable electrical energystorage devices identified for charging at an accelerated rate overtime.

The repeatedly updating the portable electrical energy storage devicesidentified for charging at an accelerated rate over time may be based atleast in part on a current charge condition of the portable electricalenergy storage devices currently removably located at the firstdistribution, collection and charging machine and a rate of charging forat least one of the portable electrical energy storage devices. Therepeatedly updating the portable electrical energy storage devicesidentified for charging at an accelerated rate over time may be based atleast in part on a presence or absence of the portable electrical energystorage devices at the first distribution, collection and chargingmachine. The repeatedly updating the portable electrical energy storagedevices identified for charging at an accelerated rate over time may bebased at least in part on a total number of portable electrical energystorage devices currently removably located at the first distribution,collection and charging machine and a respective charge state of each ofthe portable electrical energy storage devices. The repeatedly updatingthe portable electrical energy storage devices identified for chargingat an accelerated rate over time may be based at least in part on atotal cumulative charge available from a number of portable electricalenergy storage devices identified as available to sacrifice charge forcharging the portable electrical energy storage devices to be charged atthe accelerated rate.

Charging the first number of portable electrical energy storage devicesvia an electrical service may include conductively supplying electricalcurrent to the first number of portable electrical energy storagedevices via mains of an electrical service panel supplied via a meteredelectrical service from an external electrical grid, and whereincharging the first number of portable electrical energy storage devicesvia energy supplied from at least the second number of portableelectrical energy storage devices may include conductively supplyingelectrical current from the second number of portable electrical energystorage devices.

A method of operating a distribution, collection and charging machinesfor distribution, collection and charging of portable electrical energystorage devices, may be summarized as including identifying by a controlsubsystem a first number of portable electrical energy storage devicescurrently removably located at a first distribution, collection andcharging machine to be charged at an accelerated rate relative to atleast a second number of portable electrical energy storage devicescurrently removably located at the first distribution, collection andcharging machine; charging by a charging subsystem the first number ofportable electrical energy storage devices when the electrical serviceis unavailable; and charging by the charging subsystem the first numberof portable electrical energy storage devices is via energy suppliedfrom at least the second number of portable electrical energy storagedevices.

A distribution, collection and charging machine for distribution,collection and charging of portable electrical energy storage devicesmay be summarized as including a number of receivers each sized anddimensioned to removably receive respective portable electrical energystorage devices; a control subsystem including at least one controllerthat identifies a first number of portable electrical energy storagedevices currently removably located at the distribution, collection andcharging machine to be charged at an accelerated rate relative to atleast a second number of portable electrical energy storage devicescurrently removably located at the distribution, collection and chargingmachine; and a charging subsystem responsive to the at least onecontroller to charge the first number of portable electrical energystorage devices via an electrical service and to concurrently charge thefirst number of portable electrical energy storage devices via energysupplied from at least the second number of portable electrical energystorage devices.

The at least one controller may identify for accelerated charging atleast one portable electrical energy storage device based on the atleast one portable electrical energy storage device having a respectivecharge state that is over halfway to being fully charged. The at leastone controller may further identify as part of the second number ofportable electrical energy storage devices at least one portableelectrical energy storage device based on the at least one portableelectrical energy storage device having a respective charge state thatis less than halfway to being fully charged. The at least one controllermay further identify as part of the second number of portable electricalenergy storage devices any portable electrical energy storage devicewhich has a respective charge state that is between a first threshold ofbeing fully charged and a second threshold of being fully depleted. Theat least one controller may identify for accelerated charging at leastone portable electrical energy storage device which is more fullycharged than at least another portable electrical energy storage device.The charging subsystem may charge at least one more fully chargedportable electrical energy storage devices using energy from at leastone less fully charged portable electrical energy storage device.

The at least one controller may identify for accelerated charging atleast one portable electrical energy storage device based on arespective charge state being less than halfway to fully charged, andmay identify as part of the second number of portable electrical energystorage devices at least another portable electrical energy storagedevice based on a respective charge state being more than halfway tofully charged. The at least one controller may identify as part of thesecond number of portable electrical energy storage devices at least oneportable electrical energy storage device which is more than halfway tobeing fully charged. The at least one controller may further identify aspart of the second number of portable electrical energy storage devicesany portable electrical energy storage devices which are more thanapproximately 75 percent fully charged, for example more than 80 percentcharged or more than 85 percent charged. The at least one controller mayidentify for accelerated charging at least one portable electricalenergy storage device which is less fully charged than at least anotherportable electrical energy storage device. The charging subsystem maycharge at least one more fully charged portable electrical energystorage devices using energy from at least one less fully chargedportable electrical energy storage device.

The at least one controller may further identify as part of the secondnumber of portable electrical energy storage devices at least oneportable electrical energy storage device which is to sacrifice charge.

The at least one controller may identify the first number of portableelectrical energy storage devices currently removably located at a firstdistribution, collection and charging machine to be charged at anaccelerated rate may be performed in response to detection of receipt ofan at least partially discharged portable electrical energy storagedevice at a first one of the receivers of the distribution, collectionand charging machine at the first time. At least partially dischargedportable electrical energy storage device removably received at thefirst one of the receivers of the first distribution, collection andcharging machine may be a battery sized to power a personal vehicle.

The distribution, collection and charging machine may further include afirst number sensors positioned and operable to detect a presence orabsence of a portable electrical energy storage device at any of thereceivers of the distribution, collection and charging machine; and asecond number of sensors positioned and operable to detect a chargestate of any portable electrical energy storage device received in arespective one of the receivers of the distribution, collection andcharging machine.

The at least one controller may repeatedly update the portableelectrical energy storage devices identified for charging at anaccelerated rate. The at least one controller may repeatedly update theportable electrical energy storage devices identified for charging at anaccelerated rate based at least in part on a current charge condition ofthe portable electrical energy storage devices currently removablylocated in respective receivers of the distribution, collection andcharging machine. The at least one controller may repeatedly update theportable electrical energy storage devices identified for charging at anaccelerated rate based at least in part on a presence or absence of theportable electrical energy storage devices in the receivers of thedistribution, collection and charging machine. The at least onecontroller may repeatedly update the portable electrical energy storagedevices identified for charging at an accelerated rate based at least inpart on a total number of portable electrical energy storage devicescurrently removably received by respective receivers of thedistribution, collection and charging machine and a respective chargestate of each of the portable electrical energy storage devicescurrently removably received by respective receivers of thedistribution, collection and charging machine. The at least onecontroller may repeatedly update the portable electrical energy storagedevices identified for charging at an accelerated rate based at least inpart on a total cumulative charge available from a number of portableelectrical energy storage devices identified as available to sacrificecharge for charging the portable electrical energy storage devices to becharged at the accelerated rate. The charging subsystem may beelectrically coupled to receive electrical power from the electricalservice via mains of an electrical service panel supplied via a meteredelectrical service from an external electrical grid, and the chargingsubsystem may include a power converter operable to convert at least oneof a voltage, a phase or a current of electrical power received from themetered electrical service to a form suitable for charging a portablebattery sized for use in a two wheeled personal transportation vehicle.

The distribution, collection and charging machine may further include anumber of electrical contacts positioned in respective ones of thereceivers to electrically couple with any of the portable electricalenergy storage devices removably received by the receiver; a firstplurality of switches operable in response to the controller toselectively electrically couple respective ones of the electricalcontacts to the power converter; and a second plurality of switchesoperable in response to the controller to selectively electricallycouple respective ones of the electrical contacts to other ones of theelectrical contacts.

A distribution, collection and charging machine for distribution,collection and charging of portable electrical energy storage devicesmay be summarized as including a number of receivers each sized anddimensioned to removably receive respective portable electrical energystorage devices; a control subsystem including at least one controllerthat identifies a first number of portable electrical energy storagedevices currently removably located at the distribution, collection andcharging machine to be charged at an accelerated rate relative to atleast a second number of portable electrical energy storage devicescurrently removably located at the distribution, collection and chargingmachine; and a charging subsystem responsive to the at least onecontroller to charge the first number of portable electrical energystorage devices when an electrical service is unavailable via energysupplied from at least the second number of portable electrical energystorage devices.

A nontransitory computer-readable medium may be summarized as anontransitory computer-readable medium that stores instructionsexecutable by a processor to operate a distribution, collection andcharging machine for distribution, collection and charging of portableelectrical energy storage devices, by identifying by the processor afirst number of portable electrical energy storage devices currentlyremovably located at a first distribution, collection and chargingmachine to be charged at an accelerated rate relative to at least asecond number of portable electrical energy storage devices currentlyremovably located at the first distribution, collection and chargingmachine; causing a charging subsystem to charge the first number ofportable electrical energy storage devices via an electrical service,where the electrical service has an associated limiting rating; andcausing the charging system to charge the charging subsystem the firstnumber of portable electrical energy storage devices via energy suppliedfrom at least the second number of portable electrical energy storagedevices concurrently with the charging of the first number of portableelectrical energy storage devices via the electrical service.

The instructions may further cause the controller to identify the secondnumber of portable electrical energy storage devices as including anyportable electrical energy storage device which is below a firstthreshold of being fully charged and which is also above a secondthreshold of being fully depleted. The processor may identify the firstnumber of portable electrical energy storage devices to be charged at anaccelerated rate by identifying for accelerated charging at least oneportable electrical energy storage device which is more fully chargedthan at least another portable electrical energy storage device. Theinstructions may cause the charging circuit to charge the at least onemore fully charged portable electrical energy storage device usingenergy from the at least one less fully charged portable electricalenergy storage device.

The controller may identify the first number of portable electricalenergy storage devices to be charged at an accelerated rate byidentifying for accelerated charging at least one portable electricalenergy storage device which is less fully charged than at least anotherportable electrical energy storage device. The instructions may causethe processor to cause the charging circuit to charge at least one morefully charged portable electrical energy storage devices using energyfrom at least one less fully charged portable electrical energy storagedevice.

The instructions may further cause the processor to identify as part ofthe second number of portable electrical energy storage devices at leastone portable electrical energy storage device which is to sacrificecharge.

The nontransitory computer-readable medium may further includerepeatedly detecting insertion of any portable electrical energy storagedevice at any of a plurality of receivers of the first distribution,collection and charging machine; determining a charge state of theinserted portable electrical energy storage device; and repeatedlyupdating the portable electrical energy storage devices identified forcharging at an accelerated rate over time.

The repeatedly updating the portable electrical energy storage devicesidentified for charging at an accelerated rate may be based at least inpart on a current charge condition of the portable electrical energystorage devices currently removably located at the first distribution,collection and charging machine. The repeatedly updating the portableelectrical energy storage devices identified for charging at anaccelerated rate may be based at least in part on a presence or absenceof the portable electrical energy storage devices at the firstdistribution, collection and charging machine. The repeatedly updatingthe portable electrical energy storage devices identified for chargingat an accelerated rate may be based at least in part on a total numberof portable electrical energy storage devices currently removablylocated at the first distribution, collection and charging machine and arespective charge state of each of the portable electrical energystorage devices. The repeatedly updating the portable electrical energystorage devices identified for charging at an accelerated rate may bebased at least in part on a total cumulative charge available from anumber of portable electrical energy storage devices identified asavailable to sacrifice charge for charging the portable electricalenergy storage devices to be charged at the accelerated rate.

A nontransitory computer-readable medium may be summarized as anontransitory computer-readable medium that stores instructionsexecutable by a processor to operate a distribution, collection andcharging machine for distribution, collection and charging of portableelectrical energy storage devices, by identifying by the processor afirst number of portable electrical energy storage devices currentlyremovably located at a first distribution, collection and chargingmachine to be charged at an accelerated rate relative to at least asecond number of portable electrical energy storage devices currentlyremovably located at the first distribution, collection and chargingmachine; when an electrical service is unavailable causing a chargingsubsystem to charge the first number of portable electrical energystorage devices via energy supplied from at least the second number ofportable electrical energy storage devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elementsor acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawingsare not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of variouselements and angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elementsare arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility.Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are notintended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of theparticular elements, and have been solely selected for ease ofrecognition in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a collection, charging and distributionmachine along with a number of electrical power storage devicesaccording to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, along with anelectric scooter or motorbike, and an electrical service provided via anelectrical grid.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the collection, charging and distributionmachine of FIG. 1, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 3A shows a first number of electrical power storage devices beingcharged in part by charge sacrificed by a second number of electricalpower storage devices, according to one illustrated embodiment of thecollection, charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 3B shows a first number of electrical power storage devices beingcharged in part by charge sacrificed by a second number of electricalpower storage devices, according to one illustrated embodiment of thecollection, charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4A shows a first single electrical power storage device beingcharged in part by charge sacrificed by a second single electrical powerstorage devices, according to one illustrated embodiment of thecollection, charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4B shows a first single electrical power storage devices beingcharged in part by charge sacrificed by a second plurality of electricalpower storage devices, according to one illustrated embodiment of thecollection, charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing a high level method of operating thecollection, charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 tocollect, charge and distribute electrical power storage devices,according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating thecollection, charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 accordingto one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, including identifyingspecific portable electrical energy storage devices for eitheraccelerated charging or to sacrifice charge, useful in the method ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating thecollection, charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 accordingto one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, including identifyingspecific portable electrical energy storage devices to sacrifice charge,useful in the method of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating thecollection, charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 accordingto one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, including identifyingspecific portable electrical energy storage devices for acceleratedcharging and charging the selected devices, useful in the method of FIG.3.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating thecollection, charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 accordingto one non-limiting illustrated embodiment including identifyingspecific portable electrical energy storage devices for eitheraccelerated charging or to sacrifice charge, useful in the method ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating thecollection, charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 accordingto one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, including identifyingspecific portable electrical energy storage devices to sacrifice charge,useful in the method of FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating thecollection, charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 accordingto one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, including identifyingspecific portable electrical energy storage devices for acceleratedcharging and charging the selected devices, useful in the method of FIG.3.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating thecollection, charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 accordingto one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, including detectinginsertion of a portable electrical energy storage device, determining acharge state of such, and in response updating identification of devicesfor accelerated charging, useful in the method of FIG. 3.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating thecollection, charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 accordingto one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, including updating portableelectrical energy devices identified for accelerated charging based atleast in part on a current (i.e., temporal) charge condition, useful inthe method of FIG. 3.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating thecollection, charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 accordingto one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, including updating portableelectrical energy devices identified for accelerated charging based atleast in part on detection of a presence or absence of such devices,useful in the method of FIG. 3.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating thecollection, charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 accordingto another non-limiting illustrated embodiment, including updatingportable electrical energy devices identified for accelerated chargingbased at least in part on a total number and respective charge state ofsuch devices, useful in the method of FIG. 3.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating thecollection, charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 accordingto another non-limiting illustrated embodiment, including updatingportable electrical energy devices identified for accelerated chargingbased at least in part on a total cumulative charge available forsacrifice, useful in the method of FIG. 3.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating thecollection, charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 accordingto one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, including conductivelysupplying current to portable electrical power storage devices selectedfor accelerated concurrently from an electrical service and from atleast one portable electrical power storage device selected to sacrificecharge, useful in the method of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosedembodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognizethat embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In otherinstances, well-known structures associated with vending apparatus,batteries, super- or ultracapacitors, power converters including but notlimited to transformers, rectifiers, DC/DC power converters, switch modepower converters, controllers, and communications systems and structuresand networks have not been shown or described in detail to avoidunnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification andclaims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, suchas, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open,inclusive sense that is as “including, but not limited to.”

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or“in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

The use of ordinals such as first, second and third does not necessarilyimply a ranked sense of order, but rather may only distinguish betweenmultiple instances of an act or structure.

Reference to portable electrical power storage device means any devicecapable of storing electrical power and releasing stored electricalpower including but not limited to batteries, super or ultracapacitors.Reference to batteries means chemical storage cell or cells, forinstance rechargeable or secondary battery cells including but notlimited to nickel cadmium alloy or lithium ion battery cells.

The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are forconvenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of theembodiments.

FIG. 1 shows an environment 100 including a collection, charging anddistribution machine 102, according to one illustrated embodiment.

The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 may take the formof a vending machine or kiosk. The collection, charging and distributionmachine 102 has a plurality of receivers, compartments or receptacles104 a, 104 b-104 n (only three called out in FIG. 1, collectively 104)to removably receive portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g.,batteries, super- or ultracapacitors) 106 a-106 n (collectively 106) forcollection, charging and distribution. As illustrated in FIG. 1, some ofthe receivers 104 are empty, while other receivers 104 hold portableelectrical energy storage devices 106. While FIG. 1 shows a singleportable electrical energy storage device 106 per receiver 104, in someembodiments each receiver 104 may hold two or even more portableelectrical energy storage devices 106. For example, each or thereceivers 104 may be sufficiently deep to receive three portableelectrical energy storage devices 106. Thus, for example, thecollection, charging and distribution machine 102 illustrated in FIG. 1may have a capacity capable of simultaneously holding 40, 80 or 120portable electrical energy storage devices 106.

The portable electrical energy storage devices 106 may take a variety offorms, for example batteries (e.g., array of battery cells) or super- orultracapacitors (e.g., array of ultracapacitor cells). For example, theportable electrical energy storage devices 106 z may take the form ofrechargeable batteries (i.e., secondary cells or batteries). Theportable electrical energy storage devices 106 z may, for instance, besized to physically fit, and electrically power, personal transportationvehicles, such as all-electric scooters or motorbikes 108. As previouslynoted, combustion engine scooters and motorbikes are common in manylarge cities, for example in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Theability to conveniently access charged batteries throughout a city orregion may allow the use of all-electric scooters and motorbikes 108 inplace of combustion engine scooters and motorbikes, thereby alleviatingair pollution, as well as reducing noise.

The portable electrical energy storage devices 106 (only visible forportable electrical energy storage device 106 z) may include a number ofelectrical terminals 110 a, 110 b (two illustrated, collectively 110),accessible from an exterior of the portable electrical energy storagedevice 106 z. The electrical terminals 110 allow charge to be deliveredfrom the portable electrical energy storage device 106 z, as well asallow charge to be delivered to the portable electrical energy storagedevice 106 z for charging or recharging the same. While illustrated inFIG. 1 as posts, the electrical terminals 110 may take any other formwhich is accessible from an exterior of the portable electrical energystorage device 106 z, including electrical terminals positioned withinslots in a battery housing. The high power electrical contacts orelectrodes may be the only externally accessible couplings on theportable electrical storage device 106.

The portable electrical storage devices 106 may also contain one or moredata storage or transmission devices or transponders, for example one ormore radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags which may includenon-transitory storage media that stores data such as an identifierunique to the portable electrical storage devices 106. Such mayadditionally store physical, chemical or compositional data relevant tothe portable electrical power storage device 106. The portableelectrical storage device 106 physical, chemical, or compositional datamay include the number and type of cell(s) in the device, the health ofthe cell(s) in the device, the charge holding capability of the cell(s)in the device, the number of charge cycles on the cell(s) in the device,the physical configuration of the cell(s) in the device, the physicalconfiguration and size of the device, the number, location and type orstyle of electrodes on the device 106, the minimum or maximumtemperature of the device 106 and the like.

The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 may include aninterrogator or reader that is able to read the non-transitory datastored in the one or more data storage or transmission devices ortransponders in the electrical storage devices 106. Such interrogatorsor readers may, in some instances, generate a periodic or continuousinterrogation signal that, when received, by the one or more datastorage or transmission devices or transponders cause the one or moredata storage or transmission devices or transponders to broadcast asignal containing the data stored therein. In some instances, theinterrogator or reader in the collection, charging and distributionmachine 102 may be a passive device that is able to detect signalsprovided by active data storage or transmission devices or transponders,for example active RFID tags that obtain transmission power from anenergy storage device built in to the data storage or transmissiondevices or transponders or from the electrical storage device 106itself. In some instances, the interrogator or reader in the collection,charging and distribution machine 102 may optionally write data to theone or more data storage or transmission devices or transponders in theelectrical storage device 106. Such data may include incrementing acharge cycle counter, indicating a maximum usable charge capacity of thedevice 106, indicating the final charge level of the device 106, and thelike.

The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 is positioned atsome location 112 at which the collection, charging and distributionmachine 102 is conveniently and easily accessible by various end users.The location may take any of a large variety of forms, for example, aretail environment such as a convenience store, supermarket, gas orpetrol station, service shop. Alternatively, the collection, chargingand distribution machine 102 may standalone at a location 112 notassociated with an existing retail or other business, for example inpublic parks or other public places. Thus, for example, collection,charging and distribution machines 102 may be located at each store of achain of convenience stores throughout a city or region. Such mayadvantageously rely on the fact that convenience stores are often sitedor distributed based on convenience to the target population ordemographic. Such may advantageously rely on pre-existing leases onstorefronts or other retail locations to allow an extensive network ofcollection, charging and distribution machines 102 to be quicklydeveloped in a city or region. Quickly achieving a large network whichis geographically well distributed to serve a target population enhancesthe ability to depend on such a system and likely commercial success ofsuch an effort.

The location 112 may include an electrical service 114 to receiveelectrical power from a generating station (now shown) for example via agrid 116. The electrical service 114 may, for example, include one ormore of an electrical service meter 114 a, a circuit panel (e.g.,circuit breaker panel or fuse box) 114 b, wiring 114 c, and electricaloutlet 114 d. Where the location 112 is an existing retail orconvenience store, the electrical service 114 may be an existingelectrical service, so may be somewhat limited in rating (e.g., 120volts, 240 volts, 220 volts, 230 volts, 15 amps). Neither the operatorof the retail location 112, nor the owner, distributor or operator ofthe collection, charging and distribution machine 102 may wish to bearthe costs of upgrading the electrical service 114. Yet, quick chargingis desired in order to maintain an adequate supply of portableelectrical energy storage devices 106 available for use by end users.The ability to quickly charge while maintaining existing or otherwiselimited rated electrical service is addressed herein. In addition, theability to charge while existing electrical services are unavailable dueto maintenance, technical problems, weather, natural disaster, and thelike is addressed herein.

Optionally, the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 mayinclude, or be coupled to a source of renewable electrical power. Forexample, where installed in an outside location the collection, chargingand distribution machine 102 may include an array of photovoltaic (PV)cells 118 to produce electrical power from solar insolation.Alternatively, the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 maybe electrically coupled to a micro-turbine (e.g., wind turbine) or PVarray positioned elsewhere at the location 112, for instance on a rooftop or pole mounted at a top of a pole (not shown). Alternatively, thecollection, charging, and distribution machine 102 may be electricallyconfigured to receive electrical power from portable electrical energystorage devices contained within our outside the collection, charging,and distribution machine 102, for example, when electrical service fromthe grid to the collection, charging, and distribution machine 102 isunavailable.

The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 may becommunicatively coupled to one or more remotely located computersystems, such as back end or back office systems (only one shown) 120.The back end or back office systems 120 may collect data from and/orcontrol a plurality of collection, charging and distribution machine 102distributed about an area, such as a city. The communications may occurover one or more communications channels including one or more networks122, or non-networked communications channels. Communications may beover one or more wired communications channels (e.g., twisted pairwiring, optical fiber), wireless communications channels (e.g., radio,microwave, satellite, 801.11 compliant). Networked communicationschannels may include one or more local area networks (LANs), wide areanetworks (WANs), extranets, intranets, or the Internet including theWorldwide Web portion of the Internet.

The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 may include a userinterface 124. The user interface may include a variety of input/output(I/O) devices to allow an end user to interact with the collection,charging and distribution machine 102. Various I/O devices are calledout and described in reference to FIG. 2, which follows.

FIG. 2 shows the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 ofFIG. 1, according to one illustrated embodiment.

The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 includes a controlsubsystem 202, a charging subsystem 204, a communications subsystem 206,and a user interface subsystem 208.

The control subsystem 202 includes a controller 210, for example amicroprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic controller (PLC),programmable gate array (PGA), application specific integrated circuit(ASIC) or another controller capable of receiving signals from varioussensors, performing logical operations, and sending signals to variouscomponents. Typically, the controller 210 may take the form of amicroprocessor (e.g., INTEL, AMD, ATOM). The control subsystem 202 mayalso include one or more non-transitory processor- or computer-readablestorage media, for example read only memory (ROM) 212, random accessmemory (RAM) 214, and data store 216 (e.g., solid-state storage mediasuch as flash memory or EEPROM, spinning storage media such as harddisk). The non-transitory processor- or computer-readable storage media212, 214, 216 may be in addition to any non-transitory storage medium(e.g., registers) which is part of the controller 210. The controlsubsystem 202 may include one or more buses 218 (only one illustrated)coupling various components together, for example one or more powerbuses, instruction buses, data buses, etc.

As illustrated the ROM 212, or some other one of the non-transitoryprocessor- or computer-readable storage media 212, 214, 216, storesinstructions and/or data or values for variables or parameters. The setsof data may take a variety of forms, for example a lookup table, a setof records in a database, etc. The instructions and sets of data orvalues are executable by the controller 110. Execution of which causesthe controller 110 to perform specific acts to cause the collection,charging and distribution machine 102 to collect, charge, and distributeportable energy storage devices. Specific operation of the collection,charging and distribution machine 102 is described below with referenceto various flow diagrams (FIGS. 3-15).

The controller 210 may use RAM 214 in a conventional fashion, forvolatile storage of instructions, data, etc. The controller 210 may usedata store 216 to log or retain information, for example telemetricinformation related to collection, charging and/or distribution ofcollection of the portable electric power storage devices 106 and/oroperation of the collection, charging and distribution machine 102itself. The instructions are executable by the controller 210 to controloperation of the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 inresponse to end user or operator input, and using data or values for thevariables or parameters.

The control subsystem 202 receives signals from various sensors and/orother components of the collection, charging and distribution machine102 which include information that characterizes or is indicative ofoperation, status, or condition of such other components. Sensors arerepresented in FIG. 2 by the letter S appearing in a circle along withappropriate subscript letters.

For example, one or more position sensors S_(P1)-S_(PN) may detect thepresence or absence of portable electrical power storage device 106 ateach of the receivers 104. The position sensors S_(P1)-S_(PN) may take avariety of forms. For example, the position sensors S_(P1)-S_(PN) maytake the form of mechanical switches that are closed, or alternativelyopened, in response to contact with a portion of a respective portableelectrical power storage device 106 when the portable electrical powerstorage device 106 is inserted into the receiver 104. Also for example,the position sensors S_(P1)-S_(PN) may take the form of optical switches(i.e., optical source and receiver) that are closed, or alternativelyopened, in response to contact with a portion of a respective portableelectrical power storage device 106 when the portable electrical powerstorage device 106 is inserted into the receiver 104. Also for example,the position sensors S_(P1)-S_(PN) may take the form of electricalsensors or switches that are closed, or alternatively opened, inresponse to detecting a closed created by contact with the terminals 110of a respective portable electrical power storage device 106 when theportable electrical power storage device 106 is inserted into thereceiver 104, or an open circuit condition that results from the lack ofa respective portable electrical power storage device 106 in thereceiver 104. These examples are intended to be non-limiting, and it isnoted that any other structures and devices for detecting thepresence/absence or even the insert of the portable electrical powerstorage devices 106 into receivers may be employed.

For example, one or more charge sensors S_(C1)-S_(CN) may detect chargeof the portable electrical power storage devices 106 at each of thereceivers 104. Charge sensors S_(C1)-S_(CN) may detect the amount ofcharge stored by the portable electrical power storage devices 106.Charge sensors S_(C1)-S_(CN) may additionally detect an amount of chargeand/or rate of charging being supplied to ones of the portableelectrical power storage devices 106 at each of the receivers 104. Suchmay allow assessment of current (i.e., temporal) charge condition orstatus of each portable electrical power storage device 106, as well asallow feedback control over charging of same, including control overrate of charging. Charge sensors S_(C1)-S_(CN) may include any varietyof current and/or voltage sensors.

For example, one or more charge sensors S_(T1) (only one shown) maydetect or sense a temperature at the receivers 104 or in the ambientenvironment.

For example, one or more electrical service sensors may detect or sensewhether the electrical service is operating at full and less than fullcapacity.

The control subsystem 202 provides signals to various actuators and/orother components responsive to control signals, which signals includeinformation that characterizes or is indicative of an operation thecomponent is to perform or a state or condition in which the componentsshould enter. Control signals, actuators or other components responsiveto control signals are represented in FIG. 2 by the letter C appearingin a circle along with appropriate subscript letters.

For example, one or more engine control signals C_(A1)-C_(AN) may affectthe operation of one or more actuators 220 (only one illustrated). Forinstance, a control signal C_(A1) may cause movement of an actuator 220between a first and a second position or change a magnetic fieldproduced by the actuator 220. The actuator 220 may take any of a varietyof forms, including but not limited to a solenoid, an electric motorsuch as a stepper motor, or an electromagnet. The actuator 220 may becoupled to operate a latch, lock or other retainer mechanism 222. Thelatch, lock or other retainer mechanism 222 may selectively secure orretain one or more portable electrical power storage devices 106(FIG. 1) in the receiver 104 (FIG. 1). For instance, the latch, lock orother retainer mechanism 222 may physically couple to a complimentarystructure that is part of a housing of the portable electrical powerstorage devices 106 (FIG. 1). Alternatively, the latch, lock or otherretainer mechanism 222 may magnetically couple to a complimentarystructure that is part of a housing of the portable electrical powerstorage devices 106 (FIG. 1). Also for instance, the latch, lock orother mechanism may open a receiver 104 (FIG. 1), or may allow areceiver 104 to be opened, to receive a partially or fully dischargedportable electrical power storage devices 106 for charging. For example,the actuator may open and/or close a door to the receiver 104 (FIG. 1),to selectively provide access to a portable electrical power storagedevices 106 (FIG. 1) received therein. Also for example, the actuatormay open and/or close a latch or lock, allowing an end user to openand/or close a door to the receiver 104 (FIG. 1), to selectively provideaccess to a portable electrical power storage devices 106 (FIG. 1)received therein.

The control subsystem 202 may include one or more ports 224 a to providecontrol signals to one or more ports 224 b of the charging subsystem206. The ports 224 a, 224 b may provide bi-directional communications.The control subsystem 202 may include one or more ports 226 a to providecontrol signals to one or more ports 226 b of the user interfacesubsystem 208. The ports 226 a, 226 b may provide bi-directionalcommunications.

The charging subsystem 204 includes various electrical and electroniccomponents to charge portable electrical power storage devices 106 whenpositioned or received in the receivers 104. For example, the chargingsubsystem 102 may include one or more power buses or power bus bars,relays, contactors or other switches (e.g., insulated gate bipolartransistors or IGBTs, metal oxide semiconductor transistors or MOSFETs),rectifier bridge(s), current sensors, ground fault circuitry, etc. Theelectrical power is supplied via contacts that can take any of a varietyof forms, for instance terminals, leads, posts, etc. The contacts allowelectrical coupling of various components. Some possible implementationsare illustrated in FIG. 2 and/or discussed below. Such is not intendedto be exhaustive, additional components may be employed while othercomponents may be omitted.

The illustrated charging subsystem 204 includes a first power converter230 that receives electrical power from the electrical service 114(FIG. 1) via a line or cord 232. The power will typically be in the formof single, two or three phase AC electrical power. As such, the firstpower converter 230 may need to convert and otherwise condition theelectrical power received via the electrical services 114 (FIG. 1), forexample to rectifying an AC waveform to DC, transforming voltage,current, phase, as well as reducing transients and noise. Thus, thefirst power converter 230 may include a transformer 234, rectifier 236,DC/DC power converter 238, and filter(s) 240.

The transformer 234 may take the form of any variety of commerciallyavailable transformers with suitable ratings for handling the powerreceived via the electrical service 114 (FIG. 1). Some embodiments mayemploy multiple transformers. The transformer 234 may advantageouslyprovide galvanic isolation between the components of the collection,charging and distribution machine 102 and the grid 116 (FIG. 1). Therectifier 236 may take any of variety of forms, for example a fullbridge diode rectifier or a switch mode rectifier. The rectifier 236 maybe operated to transform AC electrical power to DC electrical power. TheDC/DC power converter 238 may any of a large variety of forms. Forexample, DC/DC power converter 238 may take the form a switch mode DC/DCpower converter, for instance employing IGBTs or MOSFETs in a half orfull bridge configuration, and may include one or more inductors. TheDC/DC power converter 238 may have any number of topologies including aboost converter, buck converter, synchronous buck converter, buck-boostconverter or fly-back converter. The filter(s) may include one or morecapacitors, resistors, Zener diodes or other elements to suppressvoltage spikes, remove or reduce transients and/or noise.

The first power converter 230 may be a telecommunications grade powerconverter that is capable of providing a high quality,temperature-compensated D.C. output for safely charging maintenance freeelectrical power storage devices 116. However, the cost to install atleast one 1 kilowatt telecommunications grade power converter withineach of the receivers 104 in the charging and distribution machine 102may be cost prohibitive, running into the tens of thousands of dollars.Consequently, the number of available first power converters 230 withinthe charging and distribution machine 102 may be less than the number ofreceivers 104. In such instances, the first power converters 230installed in the charging and distribution machine 102 are shared amongthe receivers 104.

The illustrated charging subsystem 204 may also receive electrical powerfrom a renewable power source, for example the PV array 118 (FIG. 1).Such may be converted or condition by the first power converter 230, forexample being supplied directly to the DC/DC power converter 238,bypassing the transformer 236 and/or rectifier 236. Alternatively, theillustrated charging subsystem 204 may include a dedicated powerconverter to convert or otherwise condition such electrical power.

The illustrated charging subsystem 204 includes a second power converter242 that receives electrical power from one or more portable electricalpower storage devices 106 (FIG. 1) via one or more lines 244, forcharging other ones of the portable electrical power storage devices106. As such, the second power converter may need to convert and/orotherwise condition the electrical power received from portableelectrical power storage devices 106, for example optionallytransforming voltage, current, as well as reducing transients and noise.Thus, the second power converter may optionally include a DC/DC powerconverter 246 and/or filter(s) 248. Various types of DC/DC powerconverters and filters are discussed above.

The illustrated charging subsystem 204 includes a plurality of switches250 responsive to the control signals delivered via ports 124 a, 124 bfrom the control subsystem 202. The switches are operable to selectivelycouple a first number or set of portable electrical power storagedevices 106 to be charged from electrical power supplied by both theelectrical service via the first power converter 230 and from electricalpower supplied by a second number or set of portable electrical powerstorage devices 106. The first number or set of portable electricalpower storage devices 106 may include a single portable electrical powerstorage device 106, two or even more portable electrical power storagedevices 106. The second number or set of portable electrical powerstorage devices 106 may include a single portable electrical powerstorage device 106, two or even more portable electrical power storagedevices 106. The portable electrical power storage devices 106 arerepresented in FIG. 2 as loads L₁,L₂-L_(N).

The charging of the portable electrical power storage devices 106 cantherefore be accomplished using the electrical line (i.e., mains)powered first power converters 230, the power storage device poweredsecond power converter 242, or a combination thereof. Machine executableinstructions or logic executed by the control subsystem 202 candetermine the number, type, and location of the charging sources foreach of the destination portable electrical power storage devices 106.For each destination portable power storage device 106, the controlsubsystem 202 can determine whether the device will be charged using aline powered first power converter 230, a power storage device poweredsecond power converter 242, or a combination thereof based on factorsincluding the availability of the first power converter 230, the numberof depleted portable power storage devices 106 and the charge level ofeach.

In an example, the control subsystem 202 may allocate a limited numberof first power converters 230 using a row or column arrangement. Underone such arrangement, the control subsystem 202 may direct the chargingoutput from one or more first power converters 230 to only a portion ofthe depleted portable electrical power storage devices 106 in a givenrow or column, for example in a column containing ten depleted portableelectrical power storage devices 106, the control subsystem 202 maydirect the first power converters 230 to charge only 10% to 20% of thedevices (i.e., 1 or 2 devices) while inhibiting the charging of theremaining 80% to 90% of the devices. Under another such arrangement,receivers 104 at specific row and column addresses within the chargingand distribution machine 102 may be sequentially coupled to the firstpower converter 230, the second power converter 242, or combinationsthereof. Other charging sequences based on alternating rows, alternatingcolumns, specific receiver addresses, receiver 104 address patterns orcombinations thereof are also possible.

The communicable coupling of the charging subsystem 204 to the controlsubsystem 202 permits the detection by the control subsystem 202 of anyfirst power converters 230 that are added to the charging subsystem 204.As additional first power converters 230 are added, the controlsubsystem 202 may reconfigure or adapt the charging logic to accommodatethe increased charging capabilities provided by the added first powerconverters 230. For example, when the control subsystem 202 detects theaddition of one or more new first power converters 230, the charginglimit may be increased from 10% to 20% of the portable electrical powerstorage devices 106 in any given row or column to 30% to 40% of thedevices in any given row or column.

The communications subsystem 206 may additionally include one or morecommunications modules or components which facilities communicationswith the various components of a back end or back office system 120(FIG. 1). The communications subsystem 206 may, for example, include oneor more modems 252 or one or more Ethernet or other types ofcommunications cards or components 254. A port 256 a of the controlsubsystem 202 may communicatively couple the control subsystem 202 witha port 256 b of the communications subsystem 206. The communicationssubsystem 206 may provide wired and/or wireless communications. Thecommunications subsystem 206 may include one or more ports, wirelessreceivers, wireless transmitters or wireless transceivers to providewireless signal paths to the various remote components or systems. Theremote communications subsystem 206 may include one or more bridges orrouters suitable to handle network traffic including switched packettype communications protocols (TCP/IP), Ethernet or other networkingprotocols.

The user interface system 208 includes one or more user input/output(I/O) components. For example, user interface system 208 may include atouch screen display 208 a, operable to present information and agraphical user interface (GUI) to an end user and to receive indicationsof user selections. The user interface system 208 may include a keyboardor keypad 208 b, and/or a cursor controller (e.g., mouse, trackball,trackpad) (not illustrated) to allow an end user to enter informationand/or select user selectable icons in a GUI. The user interface system208 may include a speaker 208 c to provide aural messages to an end userand/or a microphone 208 d to receive spoken user input such as spokencommands.

The user interface system 208 may include a card reader 208 e to readinformation from card type media 209. The card reader 208 e may take avariety of forms. For instance, the card reader 208 e may take the formof, or include, a magnetic stripe reader for reading information encodedin a magnetic stripe carried by a card 209. For instance, the cardreader 208 e may take the form of, or include, a machine-readable symbol(e.g., barcode, matrix code) card reader for reading information encodedin a machine-readable symbol carried by a card 209. For instance, thecard reader 208 e may take the form of, or include, a smart card readerfor reading information encoded in a non-transitory medium carried by acard 209. Such may, for instance include media employing radio frequencyidentification (RFID) transponders or electronic payment chips (e.g.,NFC). Thus, the card reader 208 e may be able to read information from avariety of card media 209, for instance credit cards, debit cards, giftcards, prepaid cards, as well as identification media such as driverslicenses.

The user interface system 208 may also read one or more non-transitorydata storage devices associated with the depleted portable electricalstorage device 106 provided by the user. Data related to the portableelectrical storage device 106 supplied by the user may be communicatedfrom the user interface subsystem 208 to the control subsystem 202 viathe one or more ports 226. Where differing portable electrical storagedevices 106 are in use, the ability to identify one or more uniquecharacteristics associated with the device 106 may facilitate more rapidor efficient charging of the device by the charging subsystem 204, ormay permit the control subsystem 202 to identify to the user thosereceivers 104 containing compatible portable electrical storage devices106 having a useable charge.

The user interface system 208 may include a bill acceptor 208 f andvalidator and/or coin acceptor 208 g to accept and validate cashpayments. Such may be highly useful in servicing populations who lackaccess to credit. Bill acceptor and validator 208 f and/or coin acceptor208 g may take any variety of forms, for example those that arecurrently commercially available and used in various vending machinesand kiosks.

FIG. 3A shows the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 ofFIGS. 1 and 2 charging a first number of electrical power storagedevices 302 in part by charge sacrificed by a second number ofelectrical power storage devices 304, according to one illustratedembodiment.

In particular, the collection, charging and distribution machine 102employs current via line 232 from the electrical service 114 (FIG. 1)and current supplied by a relatively large number of electrical powerstorage devices 304 which sacrifice charge to quickly or rapidly chargea smaller number of electrical power storage devices 302. The electricalpower storage devices 304 which sacrifice charge may start out withrelatively less charge than the electrical power storage devices 302which receive the rapid charging. That way at least some of theelectrical power storage devices 302 will rapidly attain a fully oralmost fully charged state, readying such for use. Alternatively, theelectrical power storage devices 304 which sacrifice charge may startout with relatively more charge than the electrical power storagedevices 302 which receive the rapid charging. That way a larger numberof the electrical power storage devices 302, 304 will have sufficientcharge, although likely less than full charge, to make such ready foruse by end users. This multiple-to-multiple approach may be implementedin parallel, concurrently across multiple pairs of receiving andsacrificing groups of electrical power storage devices 302, 304.

FIG. 3B shows the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 ofFIGS. 1 and 2 charging a first number of electrical power storagedevices 312 in part by charge sacrificed by a second number ofelectrical power storage devices 314, according to one illustratedembodiment.

In particular, the collection, charging and distribution machine 102employs current via line 232 from the electrical service 114 (FIG. 1)and current supplied by a relatively small number of electrical powerstorage devices 314 which sacrifice charge to quickly or rapidly chargea larger number of electrical power storage devices 312. The electricalpower storage devices 314 which sacrifice charge may start out withrelatively less charge than the electrical power storage devices 312which receive the rapid charging. That way at least some of theelectrical power storage devices 312 will rapidly attain a fully oralmost fully charged state, readying such for use. Alternatively, theelectrical power storage devices 314 which sacrifice charge may startout with relatively more charge than the electrical power storagedevices 312 which receive the rapid charging. That way a larger numberof the electrical power storage devices 312, 314 will have sufficientcharge, although likely less than full charge, to make such ready foruse by end users. This multiple-to-multiple approach may be implementedin parallel, concurrently across multiple pairs of receiving andsacrificing groups of electrical power storage devices 312, 314.

FIG. 4A shows the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 ofFIGS. 1 and 2 charging a first single electrical power storage device402 in part by charge sacrificed by a second single electrical powerstorage device 404, according to one illustrated embodiment.

In particular, the collection, charging and distribution machine 102employs current via line 232 from the electrical service 114 (FIG. 1)and current supplied by a single electrical power storage device 404which sacrifice charge to quickly or rapidly charge a single electricalpower storage device 402. The electrical power storage device 404 whichsacrifices charge may start out with relatively less charge than theelectrical power storage device 402 which receives or benefits by therapid charging. That way the electrical power storage device 402 willrapidly attain a fully or almost fully charged state, readying such foruse. Alternatively, the electrical power storage device 404 whichsacrifices charge may start out with relatively more charge than theelectrical power storage device 402 which receives the rapid charging.This one-to-one approach may be implemented in parallel, concurrentlyacross multiple pairs of electrical power storage devices 402, 404. Thatway a larger number of the electrical power storage devices 402, 404will have sufficient charge, although likely less than full charge, tomake such ready for use by end users.

FIG. 4B shows the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 ofFIGS. 1 and 2 charging a first single electrical power storage device412 in part by charge sacrificed by a plurality of electrical powerstorage devices 414, according to one illustrated embodiment.

In particular, the collection, charging and distribution machine 102employs current via line 232 from the electrical service 114 (FIG. 1)and current supplied by a plurality of electrical power storage devices414 which sacrifice charge to quickly or rapidly charge a singleelectrical power storage device 412. The electrical power storagedevices 414 which sacrifice charge may start out with relatively lesscharge than the single electrical power storage device 412 which receivethe rapid charging. That way the single electrical power storage device412 will rapidly attain a fully or almost fully charged state, readyingsuch for use. Alternatively, the plurality of electrical power storagedevices 414 which sacrifice charge may start out with relatively morecharge than the single electrical power storage device 412 which receivethe rapid charging. This multiple-to-one approach may be implemented inparallel, concurrently across multiple pairs of receiving andsacrificing electrical power storage devices 412, 414. That way a largernumber of the electrical power storage devices 412, 414 will havesufficient charge to make such ready for use by end users.

FIG. 5 shows a high level method 500 of operating the collection,charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to onenon-limiting illustrated embodiment.

At 502, the control subsystem 202 of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 identifies a first number of portableelectrical energy storage devices removably located at receivers of thedistribution, collection and charging machine to be charged ataccelerated rate relative to second number of portable electrical energystorage devices removably located at distribution, collection andcharging machine. The control subsystem 202 may employ various criteriain identifying or selecting portable electrical energy storage devicesfor rapid charging relative to other portable electrical energy storagedevices. For example, the control subsystem may employ relative amountsof stored charge. Some examples are set out below.

At 504, the control subsystem 202 of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 identifies as part of the second number atleast one portable electrical energy storage device which is tosacrifice charge. The control subsystem 202 may employ various criteriain identifying or selecting portable electrical energy storage devicesfor rapid charging relative to other portable electrical energy storagedevices. For example, the control subsystem may employ relative amountsof stored charge.

At 506, the charging system 204 of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 charges the first number of portable electricalenergy storage devices with electrical power supplied via electricalservice. In particular, the charging subsystem may electrically couple,for example via one or more switches (e.g., relays, contactors),portable electrical energy storage devices of the first number of set toreceive charge from the electrical service. Electrical power may besupplied via one or more transformers, rectifiers, DC/DC convertersand/or filters.

At 508, the charging system 204 of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 charges the first number of portable electricalenergy storage devices via energy supplied from second number ofportable electrical energy storage devices, concurrently with thecharging using the electrical power supplied via the electrical serviceor without charging using the electrical power supplied via theelectrical service. In particular, the charging subsystem mayelectrically couple, for example via one or more switches (e.g., relays,contactors), portable electrical energy storage devices of the firstnumber of set to receive charge from the portable electrical energystorage devices of the second number or set. Electrical power may besupplied via one or more transformers, rectifiers, DC/DC convertersand/or filters.

As set out in FIG. 5, and in the other flow diagrams herein, the controlsubsystem 202 of the collection, charging and distribution machine 102may employ a variety of approaches or charging schemes in order toensure that portable electrical power storages devices such as batteriesor ultracapacitor arrays are timely available with sufficient charge tosatisfy expected demand. For example, in some circumstances it may bebeneficial to quickly charge a relatively small number of portableelectrical power storage devices at the sacrifice of a larger number ofportable electrical power storage devices. Such may allow a number ofcompletely or almost completely charged portable electrical powerstorage devices to be ready for an expected customer. Such may be done,for example, where there are no or relatively few completely or almostcompletely charged portable electrical power storage devices availableat the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 (e.g., kiosk,vending machine). In other circumstances, it may be beneficial toquickly charge a relatively large number of portable electrical powerstorage devices at the sacrifice of a smaller number of portableelectrical power storage devices. Such may allow a number of completelyor almost completely discharged portable electrical power storagedevices to be partially charged to a satisfactory level and hence readyfor expected customers. Such may be done, for example, where there are alarge number of completely or almost completely discharged portableelectrical power storage devices present at the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102.

Thus, the identification of which and how many portable electrical powerstorage devices will be quickly charged, as well as the identificationof which and how many portable electrical power storage devices willsacrifice charge to achieve such may be based on a variety of criteria.A non-exhaustive list of criteria may, for example, include one or morethe total number of portable electrical power storage devices present atthe collection, charging and distribution machine 102, the variouscharge states of the portable electrical power storage devices, theamount or lack of electrical power available from external sources suchas via the electrical service or some renewable power source, the actualor expect rate of charging, the time of day or expected demand or costfor electrical power supplied by an external source (e.g., peak versusnon-peak periods), and even the temperature of the ambient environmentor the temperature within the receivers of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102.

FIG. 6 shows a low level method 600 of operating the collection,charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to onenon-limiting illustrated embodiment. The method 600 may be useful in theperforming a portion of the method 500 of FIG. 5.

At 602, the control subsystem 202 of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 identifies for accelerated charging at leastone portable electrical energy storage device which is over halfway tobeing fully charged.

At 604, the control subsystem 202 of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 identifies as available to sacrifice charge atleast one portable electrical energy storage device which is less thanhalfway to being fully charged.

In this way, a first number of portable electrical energy storage devicewhich are relatively closer to being charged than a second number ofportable electrical energy storage device may be selected for beingrapidly charged relative to the other portable electrical energy storagedevices. This may help ensure that at least one portable electricalenergy storage device is available at the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 for use by an end user.

FIG. 7 shows a low level method 700 of operating the collection,charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to onenon-limiting illustrated embodiment. The method 700 may be useful inperforming a portion of the method 500 of FIG. 5.

At 702, the control subsystem 202 of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 identifies as part of the second number ofportable electrical energy storage devices any portable electricalenergy storage device which are below a first threshold of being fullycharged and which are also above a second threshold of being fullydepleted.

This may allow a first set of portable electrical energy storage devicesto be identified for repaid charging, a second set of portableelectrical energy storage devices identified for sacrificing charge, anda third set which is neither rapidly charged nor which sacrifice charge.For example, some of the most fully charged portable electrical energystorage devices may be identified for rapid charging, while some of theleast fully charged are identified neither for rapid charging nor forsacrificing charge. Rather, portable electrical energy storage deviceswith an intermediate level of charge (i.e., leaving some significantcharge to sacrifice) may be identified for sacrificing charge. This mayprevent the least fully charged portable electrical energy storagedevices from being driven to no or substantially no charge states.

FIG. 8 show a low level method 800 of operating the collection, chargingand distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to one non-limitingillustrated embodiment. The method 800 may be useful in performing aportion of the method 500 of FIG. 5.

At 802, the control subsystem 202 of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 identifies for accelerated charging at leastone portable electrical energy storage device which is more fullycharged than at least another portable electrical energy storage device.

At 804, the charging system subsystem 204 of the collection, chargingand distribution machine 102 charges at least one more fully chargedportable electrical energy storage device using energy from at least oneless fully charged portable electrical energy storage device.

This may help ensure that at least one portable electrical energystorage device fully or almost fully charged is available at thecollection, charging and distribution machine 102 for use by an enduser.

FIG. 9 shows a low level method 900 of operating the collection,charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to onenon-limiting illustrated embodiment. The method 900 may be useful inperforming a portion of the method 500 of FIG. 5.

At 902, the control subsystem 202 of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 identifies for accelerated charging at leastone portable electrical energy storage device which is less than halfwayto being fully charged.

At 904, the control subsystem 202 of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 identifies as part of second number of portableelectrical energy storage devices at least one portable electricalenergy storage device which is more than halfway to being fully charged.

Thus, the control subsystem 202 of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 may attempt to bring as many portableelectrical energy storage devices as possible up to some average ormedian level of charge. This may ensure that large demand may be met,even where the portable electrical energy storage devices supplied arenot fully charged.

FIG. 10 shows a low level method 1000 of operating the collection,charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to onenon-limiting illustrated embodiment. The method 1000 may be useful inperforming a portion of the method 500 of FIG. 5.

At 1002, the control subsystem 202 of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 identifies as part of second number of portableelectrical energy storage devices any portable electrical energy storagedevices which are more than approximately 75 percent fully charged, ormore than approximately 80 percent fully charged or even more thanapproximately 85 percent fully charged.

This ensures that portable electrical energy storage devices with arelatively good likelihood of being satisfactorily charged over somerelatively short period of time, will be ready for distribution to anend user when needed or requested. The values of 75, 80 and 85 percentis significant since, at least for secondary chemical batteries, thecharge time or rate tends to increase non-linearly (e.g., exponential)with amount of stored charge, and it takes significantly longer toobtain the last percent (e.g., 25, 20, 15 percent) of charge than thefirst percent of charge (e.g., 25, 30, 35 percent). Likewise, thedischarge time or rate also appears to be nonlinear. The nonlinearity ofcharging and discharging rates may not be as pronounced for arrays ofultracapacitors as compared to secondary chemical batteries, so othertrigger or threshold charge values may be appropriate. Yet a charge of75, 80 or 85 percent of rated or nominal capacity may be sufficient tosatisfy customer demand and obtain a desired range of travel. Thus, theselection algorithm executed by the control subsystem 202 may take intoaccount a nominal charge rate curve of the particular type of electricalenergy storage devices to be charged and/or a nominal discharge ratecurve of the particular type of electrical energy storage devices whichwill sacrifice the charge.

FIG. 11 shows a low level method 1100 of operating the collection,charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to onenon-limiting illustrated embodiment. The method 1100 may be useful inperforming a portion of the method 500 of FIG. 5.

At 1102, the control subsystem 202 of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 identifies for accelerated charging at leastone portable electrical energy storage device which is less fullycharged than at least another portable electrical energy storage device.

At 1104, the charging subsystem 204 of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 charges at least one more fully chargedportable electrical energy storage devices using energy from at leastone less fully charged portable electrical energy storage device.

This ensures that a relatively large number of portable electricalenergy storage devices will be ready to met relatively large demand,even if none or few are completely charged.

FIG. 12 shows a low level method 1200 of operating the collection,charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to onenon-limiting illustrated embodiment. The method 1200 may be useful inperforming a portion of the method 500 of FIG. 5.

At 1202, the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 removablyreceives an at least partially discharged portable electrical energystorage device at a first of plurality of positions or receivers 104 atfirst time.

At 1204, one or more sensors of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 detect insertion of the portable electricalenergy storage device at the first position or receiver 104.

At 1206, the control subsystem 202 of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 determines a charge state of inserted portableelectrical energy storage device. For example, the control subsystem 202may rely on one or more current sensors.

In response to detection of an at least partially discharged portableelectrical energy storage device being inserted in a receiver, at 1208the control subsystem 202 of the collection, charging and distributionmachine 102 updates the identification of the first number of portableelectrical energy storage devices identified for accelerated charging.For example, the control subsystem 202 may add one or more specificportable electrical energy storage devices to the number or set to berapidly charged and/or may subtract or remove one or more specificportable electrical energy storage devices from the number or set to berapidly charged.

For example, the control system may include in the number, set or listof portable electrical energy storage devices to be rapidly charged: 1)the most fully charged portable electrical energy storage devices, 2) adefined number of the most fully charged portable electrical energystorage devices; 3) a defined percentage of the total number of portableelectrical energy storage devices, including those which are most fullycharged; and/or 4) portable electrical energy storage devices above adefined charge threshold. Alternatively, the control system may includein the number, set or list of portable electrical energy storage devicesto be rapidly charged: 1) the least fully charged portable electricalenergy storage devices, 2) a defined number of the least fully chargedportable electrical energy storage devices; 3) a defined percentage ofthe total number of portable electrical energy storage devices,including those which are least fully charged; and/or 4) portableelectrical energy storage devices below a defined charge threshold. As afurther alternative, the control system may include in the number, setor list of portable electrical energy storage devices to be rapidlycharged, 1) the one or more portable electrical energy storage deviceswith a median charge relative to one or more other more fully and lessfully charged portable electrical energy storage devices. Examples ofsuch are discussed below with reference to FIGS. 13-16.

At 1210, the control subsystem 202 may update the identification of thesecond number of portable electrical energy storage devices identifiedfor sacrificing charging. For example, the control subsystem 202 may addone or more specific portable electrical energy storage devices to thenumber or set to sacrifice charge and/or may subtract or remove one ormore specific portable electrical energy storage devices from the numberor set to sacrifice charge.

For example, the control system may include in the number, set or listof portable electrical energy storage devices to sacrifice charge: 1)the most fully charged portable electrical energy storage devices, 2) adefined number of the most fully charged portable electrical energystorage devices; 3) a defined percentage of the total number of portableelectrical energy storage devices, including those which are most fullycharged; and/or 4) portable electrical energy storage devices above adefined charge threshold. Alternatively, the control system may includein the number, set or list of portable electrical energy storage devicesto sacrifice charge: 1) the least fully charged portable electricalenergy storage devices, 2) a defined number of the least fully chargedportable electrical energy storage devices; 3) a defined percentage ofthe total number of portable electrical energy storage devices,including those which are least fully charged; and/or 4) portableelectrical energy storage devices below a defined charge threshold. As afurther alternative, the control system may include in the number, setor list of portable electrical energy storage devices to sacrificecharge: 1) the one or more portable electrical energy storage deviceswith a median charge relative to one or more other more fully and lessfully charged portable electrical energy storage devices.

FIG. 13 shows a low level method 1300 of operating the collection,charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to onenon-limiting illustrated embodiment. The method 1300 may be useful inperforming a portion of the method 500 of FIG. 5.

At 1302, the control subsystem 202 may update portable electrical energystorage devices identified for accelerated charging based at least inpart on a current charge condition of portable electrical energy storagedevices currently removably located at the first distribution,collection and charging machine. For example, portable electrical energystorage devices storing relatively large amounts of charge may berapidly charge to full charge levels, at the sacrifice of less fullycharged portable electrical energy storage devices. Alternatively,portable electrical energy storage devices storing relatively largeamounts of charge may sacrifice charge to rapidly charge less fullycharged portable electrical energy storage devices to acceptable levelsfor distribution.

FIG. 14 shows a low level method 1400 of operating the collection,charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to onenon-limiting illustrated embodiment. The method 1400 may be useful inperforming a portion of the method 500 of FIG. 5.

At 1402, the control subsystem 202 may update the first number or set ofportable electrical energy storage devices identified for acceleratedcharging based at least in part on a presence or absence of the portableelectrical energy storage devices at the first distribution, collectionand charging machine. For example, the control subsystem may take intoaccount the total number of portable electrical energy storage deviceslocated or present at the respective collection, charging anddistribution machine.

FIG. 15 shows a low level method 1500 of operating the collection,charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to anothernon-limiting illustrated embodiment. The method 1500 may be useful inperforming a portion of the method 500 of FIG. 5.

At 1502, the control subsystem 202 may update portable electrical energystorage devices identified for accelerated charging based at least inpart on a total number of portable electrical energy storage devicescurrently removably located at the first distribution, collection andcharging machine, a respective charge state of each of the portableelectrical energy storage devices, and a rate of charging for at leastone of the portable electrical energy storage devices. For example, thecontrol subsystem may take into account the total number of portableelectrical energy storage devices located or present at the respectivecollection, charging and distribution machine and the relative chargestate of each. Thus, the control subsystem 202 may determine that thereare sufficient portable electrical energy storage devices withsufficient charge to sacrifice charge to bring some other portableelectrical energy storage devices up to or close to fully charged.Alternatively, the control subsystem 202 may determine that there arenot sufficient portable electrical energy storage devices withsufficient charge to sacrifice charge. Alternatively, the controlsubsystem 202 may determine that there are sufficient number of portableelectrical energy storage devices sufficiently charged that no sacrificeis necessary.

FIG. 16 shows a low level method 1600 of operating the collection,charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to anothernon-limiting illustrated embodiment. The method 1600 may be useful inperforming a portion of the method 500 of FIG. 5.

At 1602, the control subsystem 202 may update portable electrical energystorage devices identified for accelerated charging based at least inpart on total cumulative charge available from portable electricalenergy storage devices identified as available to sacrifice charge.Thus, the control subsystem 202 may take into account total charge toensure that at least some portable electrical energy storage devices areavailable at or proximate fully charged condition or state.Alternatively the control subsystem may ensure that a maximum orrelatively large number of portable electrical energy storage devicesare available, even if not at or proximate a fully charged condition orstate.

FIG. 17 shows a low level method 1700 of operating the collection,charging and distribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to onenon-limiting illustrated embodiment. The method 1700 may be useful inthe method 500 of FIG. 5.

At 1702, the charging subsystem 204 of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 conductively supplies electrical current to thefirst number of portable electrical energy storage devices via mains ofan electrical service panel supplied via a metered electrical servicefrom an external electrical grid. The charging subsystem 204 may closeone or more switches to electrically couple the first number of portableelectrical energy storage devices to the electrical service, via a firstpower converter 230 (FIG. 2).

Optionally at 1704, the charging subsystem 204 conductively supplieselectrical current to the first number of portable electrical energystorage devices via a renewable power source (e.g., photovoltaic array118 (FIG. 1). The charging subsystem 204 may close one or more switchesto electrically couple the first number of portable electrical energystorage devices to the PV array 118 via the first power converter 230(FIG. 2) or some dedicated power converter (not illustrated).

At 1706, the charging subsystem 204 conductively supplies electricalcurrent from the second number of portable electrical energy storagedevices. The charging subsystem 204 may close one or more switches toelectrically couple the first number of portable electrical energystorage devices to the electrical service, via a second power converter242 (FIG. 2).

The various methods described herein may include additional acts, omitsome acts, and/or may perform the acts in a different order than set outin the various flow diagrams.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments ofthe devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, schematics,and examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, schematics, and examplescontain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that each function and/or operation withinsuch block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment, thepresent subject matter may be implemented via one or moremicrocontrollers. However, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can beequivalently implemented in standard integrated circuits (e.g.,Application Specific Integrated Circuits or ASICs), as one or morecomputer programs executed by one or more computers (e.g., as one ormore programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or moreprograms executed by on one or more controllers (e.g., microcontrollers)as one or more programs executed by one or more processors (e.g.,microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof,and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for thesoftware and/or firmware would be well within the skill of one ofordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this disclosure.

When logic is implemented as software and stored in memory, logic orinformation can be stored on any non-transitory computer-readable mediumfor use by or in connection with any processor-related system or method.In the context of this disclosure, a memory is a nontransitory computer-or processor-readable storage medium that is an electronic, magnetic,optical, or other physical device or means that non-transitorilycontains or stores a computer and/or processor program. Logic and/or theinformation can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use byor in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, orother system that can fetch the instructions from the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructionsassociated with logic and/or information.

In the context of this specification, a “computer-readable medium” canbe any physical element that can store the program associated with logicand/or information for use by or in connection with the instructionexecution system, apparatus, and/or device. The computer-readable mediumcan be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatusor device. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of thecomputer readable medium would include the following: a portablecomputer diskette (magnetic, compact flash card, secure digital, or thelike), a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), anerasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory),a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), and digital tape.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to providefurther embodiments. To the extent that they are not inconsistent withthe specific teachings and definitions herein, all of the U.S. patents,U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreignpatents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publicationsreferred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application DataSheet, including but not limited to: U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/511,900 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FORCOLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH ASBATTERIES” and filed Jul. 26, 2011, U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/647,936 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FORCOLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH ASBATTERIES” and filed May 16, 2012, U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/534,753 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FORREDISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES, BETWEENCOLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINES” and filed Sep. 14, 2011,U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/534,761 entitled“APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION, SECURITY AND CONTROLOF POWER STORAGE DEVICES SUCH AS BATTERIES” and filed Sep. 14, 2011,U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/534,772 entitled“APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION, SECURITY AND CONTROLOF POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES, BASED ON USER PROFILES” andfiled Sep. 14, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.61/511,887 entitled “THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF COMPONENTS IN ELECTRIC MOTORDRIVE VEHICLES” and filed Jul. 26, 2011, U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/647,941 entitled “THERMAL MANAGEMENT OFCOMPONENTS IN ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE VEHICLES” and filed May 16, 2012,U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,880 entitled“DYNAMICALLY LIMITING VEHICLE OPERATION FOR BEST EFFORT ECONOMY” andfiled Jul. 26, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.61/557,170 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD, AND ARTICLE FOR PHYSICALSECURITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES IN VEHICLES” and filed Nov. 8, 2011,U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/581,566 entitled“APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR A POWER STORAGE DEVICE COMPARTMENT”and filed Dec. 29, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.61/601,404 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING VEHICLEDIAGNOSTIC DATA” and filed Feb. 21, 2012, U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/601,949 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLEFOR PROVIDING LOCATIONS OF POWER STORAGE DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING ANDDISTRIBUTION MACHINES” and filed Feb. 22, 2012, and U.S. provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 61/601,953 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD ANDARTICLE FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF POWERSTORAGE DEVICES AT A POWER STORAGE DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING ANDDISTRIBUTION MACHINE” and filed Feb. 22, 2012, U.S. application Ser. No.13/559,038 filed on Jul. 26, 2012, naming Hok-Sum Horace Luke andMatthew Whiting Taylor as inventors and entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD ANDARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION, SECURITY AND CONTROL OF POWER STORAGEDEVICES SUCH AS BATTERIES”, U.S. application Ser. No. 13/559,264 filedon Jul. 26, 2012 naming Hok-Sum Horace Luke and Matthew Whiting Tayloras inventors and entitled “DYNAMICALLY LIMITING VEHICLE OPERATION FORBEST EFFORT ECONOMY”, U.S. application Ser. No. 13/559,054 filed on Jul.26, 2012, naming Matthew Whiting Taylor, Yi-Tsung Wu, Hok-Sum HoraceLuke and Huang-Cheng Hung as inventors and entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD,AND ARTICLE FOR PHYSICAL SECURITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES IN VEHICLES”,U.S. application Ser. No. 13/559,390 filed on Jul. 26, 2012, namingChing Chen, Hok-Sum Horace Luke, Matthew Whiting Taylor, Yi-Tsung Wu asinventors and entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDINGVEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC DATA”, U.S. application Ser. No. 13/559,343 filed onJul. 26, 2012, naming Yi-Tsung Wu, Matthew Whiting Taylor, Hok-SumHorace Luke and Jung-Hsiu Chen as inventors and entitled “APPARATUS,METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION REGARDING AVAILABILITY OFPOWER STORAGE DEVICES AT A POWER STORAGE DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING ANDDISTRIBUTION MACHINE”, and U.S. application Ser. No. 13/559,064 filed onJul. 26, 2012, naming Hok-Sum Horace Luke, Yi-Tsung Wu, Jung-Hsiu Chen,Yulin Wu, Chien Ming Huang, TsungTing Chan, Shen-Chi Chen and Feng KaiYang as inventors and entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FORRESERVING POWER STORAGE DEVICES AT RESERVING POWER STORAGE DEVICECOLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINES” are incorporated hereinby reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can bemodified, if necessary, to employ systems, circuits and concepts of thevarious patents, applications and publications to provide yet furtherembodiments.

While generally discussed in the environment and context of collection,charging and distribution of portable electrical energy storage devicesfor use with personal transportation vehicle such as all-electricscooters and/or motorbikes, the teachings herein can be applied in awide variety of other environments, including other vehicular as well asnon-vehicular environments.

The above description of illustrated embodiments, including what isdescribed in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limitthe embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Although specificembodiments and examples are described herein for illustrative purposes,various equivalent modifications can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the disclosure, as will be recognized by thoseskilled in the relevant art.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of theabove-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, theterms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should beconstrued to include all possible embodiments along with the full scopeof equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, theclaims are not limited by the disclosure.

We claim:
 1. A method of operating at least one distribution, collectionand charging machine for distribution, collection and charging ofportable electrical energy storage devices, the method comprising:identifying by a control subsystem a first number of portable electricalenergy storage devices currently removably located at a firstdistribution, collection and charging machine to be charged at anaccelerated rate relative to at least a second number of portableelectrical energy storage devices currently removably located at thefirst distribution, collection and charging machine, wherein identifyinga first number of portable electrical energy storage devices currentlyremovably located at a first distribution, collection and chargingmachine to be charged at an accelerated rate relative to at least asecond number of portable electrical energy storage devices currentlyremovably located at the first distribution, collection and chargingmachine includes identifying for accelerated charging at least oneportable electrical energy storage device which is over halfway to beingfully charged; charging by a charging subsystem the first number ofportable electrical energy storage devices via an electrical service,where the electrical service has an associated limiting rating; andcharging by the charging subsystem the first number of portableelectrical energy storage devices via energy supplied from at least thesecond number of portable electrical energy storage devices concurrentlywith the charging of the first number of portable electrical energystorage devices via the electrical service.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising: identifying as part of the second number of portableelectrical energy storage devices at least one portable electricalenergy storage device which is less than halfway to being fully charged.3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying as part of thesecond number of portable electrical energy storage devices any portableelectrical energy storage device which are below a first threshold ofbeing fully charged and which are also above a second threshold of beingfully depleted.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein identifying a firstnumber of portable electrical energy storage devices currently removablylocated at a first distribution, collection and charging machine to becharged at an accelerated rate relative to at least a second number ofportable electrical energy storage devices currently removably locatedat the first distribution, collection and charging machine includesidentifying for accelerated charging at least one portable electricalenergy storage device which is more fully charged than at least anotherportable electrical energy storage device.
 5. The method of claim 1wherein charging the first number of portable electrical energy storagedevices via energy supplied from at least the second number of portableelectrical energy storage devices concurrently with the charging via theelectrical service includes charging includes charging at least one morefully charged portable electrical energy storage device using energyfrom at least one less fully charged portable electrical energy storagedevice.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein identifying a first number ofportable electrical energy storage devices currently removably locatedat a first distribution, collection and charging machine to be chargedat an accelerated rate relative to at least a second number of portableelectrical energy storage devices currently removably located at thefirst distribution, collection and charging machine further includesidentifying for accelerated charging at least one portable electricalenergy storage device which is less than halfway to being fully charged,and identifying as part of the second number of portable electricalenergy storage devices at least another portable electrical energystorage device which is more than halfway to being fully charged.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: identifying as part of the secondnumber of portable electrical energy storage devices at least oneportable electrical energy storage device which is more than halfway tobeing fully charged.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:identifying as part of the second number of portable electrical energystorage devices any portable electrical energy storage devices which aremore than approximately 80-85 percent fully charged.
 9. The method ofclaim 1 wherein identifying a first number of portable electrical energystorage devices currently removably located at a first distribution,collection and charging machine to be charged at an accelerated raterelative to at least a second number of portable electrical energystorage devices currently removably located at the first distribution,collection and charging machine includes identifying for acceleratedcharging at least one portable electrical energy storage device which isless fully charged than at least another portable electrical energystorage device.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein charging the firstnumber of portable electrical energy storage devices via energy suppliedfrom at least the second number of portable electrical energy storagedevices concurrently with the charging via the electrical serviceincludes charging includes charging at least one more fully chargedportable electrical energy storage devices using energy from at leastone less fully charged portable electrical energy storage device. 11.The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying as part of thesecond number of portable electrical energy storage devices at least oneportable electrical energy storage device which is to sacrifice charge.12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: removably receiving an atleast partially discharged portable electrical energy storage device ata first position of the first distribution, collection and chargingmachine at a first time, and wherein the identifying the first number ofportable electrical energy storage devices currently removably locatedat a first distribution, collection and charging machine to be chargedat an accelerated rate is performed in response to the receiving of theat least partially discharged portable electrical energy storage deviceat the first position of the first distribution, collection and chargingmachine at the first time.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein removablyreceiving an at least partially discharged portable electrical energystorage device at a first position of the first distribution, collectionand charging machine at a first time includes removably receiving abattery sized to power a personal vehicle.
 14. The method of claim 1,further comprising: detecting an insertion of a portable electricalenergy storage device at one of a plurality of positions of the firstdistribution, collection and charging machine; and determining a chargestate of the inserted portable electrical energy storage device.
 15. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: repeatedly updating the portableelectrical energy storage devices identified for charging at anaccelerated rate over time.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein therepeatedly updating the portable electrical energy storage devicesidentified for charging at an accelerated rate over time is based atleast in part on a current charge condition of the portable electricalenergy storage devices currently removably located at the firstdistribution, collection and charging machine and a rate of charging forat least one of the portable electrical energy storage devices.
 17. Themethod of claim 15 wherein the repeatedly updating the portableelectrical energy storage devices identified for charging at anaccelerated rate over time is based at least in part on a presence orabsence of the portable electrical energy storage devices at the firstdistribution, collection and charging machine.
 18. The method of claim15 wherein the repeatedly updating the portable electrical energystorage devices identified for charging at an accelerated rate over timeis based at least in part on a total number of portable electricalenergy storage devices currently removably located at the firstdistribution, collection and charging machine and a respective chargestate of each of the portable electrical energy storage devices.
 19. Themethod of claim 18 wherein the repeatedly updating the portableelectrical energy storage devices identified for charging at anaccelerated rate over time is based at least in part on a totalcumulative charge available from a number of portable electrical energystorage devices identified as available to sacrifice charge for chargingthe portable electrical energy storage devices to be charged at theaccelerated rate.
 20. The method of claim 1 wherein charging the firstnumber of portable electrical energy storage devices via an electricalservice includes conductively supplying electrical current to the firstnumber of portable electrical energy storage devices via mains of anelectrical service panel supplied via a metered electrical service froman external electrical grid, and wherein charging the first number ofportable electrical energy storage devices via energy supplied from atleast the second number of portable electrical energy storage devicesincludes conductively supplying electrical current from the secondnumber of portable electrical energy storage devices.
 21. Adistribution, collection and charging machine for distribution,collection and charging of portable electrical energy storage devices,comprising: a number of receivers each sized and dimensioned toremovably receive respective portable electrical energy storage devices;a control subsystem including at least one controller that identifies afirst number of portable electrical energy storage devices currentlyremovably located at the distribution, collection and charging machineto be charged at an accelerated rate relative to at least a secondnumber of portable electrical energy storage devices currently removablylocated at the distribution, collection and charging machine, whereinthe at least one controller identifies for accelerated charging at leastone portable electrical energy storage device based on the at least oneportable electrical energy storage device having a respective chargestate that is over halfway to being fully charged; and a chargingsubsystem responsive to the at least one controller to charge the firstnumber of portable electrical energy storage devices via an electricalservice and to concurrently charge the first number of portableelectrical energy storage devices via energy supplied from at least thesecond number of portable electrical energy storage devices.
 22. Thedistribution, collection and charging machine of claim 21 wherein the atleast one controller further identifies as part of the second number ofportable electrical energy storage devices at least one portableelectrical energy storage device based on the at least one portableelectrical energy storage device having a respective charge state thatis less than halfway to being fully charged.
 23. The distribution,collection and charging machine of claim 21 wherein the at least onecontroller further identifies as part of the second number of portableelectrical energy storage devices any portable electrical energy storagedevice which has a respective charge state that is between a firstthreshold of being fully charged and a second threshold of being fullydepleted.
 24. The distribution, collection and charging machine of claim21 wherein the at least one controller identifies for acceleratedcharging at least one portable electrical energy storage device which ismore fully charged than at least another portable electrical energystorage device.
 25. The distribution, collection and charging machine ofclaim 24 wherein the charging subsystem charges at least one more fullycharged portable electrical energy storage devices using energy from atleast one less fully charged portable electrical energy storage device.26. The distribution, collection and charging machine of claim 21wherein the at least one controller further identifies for acceleratedcharging at least one portable electrical energy storage device based ona respective charge state being less than halfway to fully charged, andidentifies as part of the second number of portable electrical energystorage devices at least another portable electrical energy storagedevice based on a respective charge state being more than halfway tofully charged.
 27. The distribution, collection and charging machine ofclaim 21 wherein the at least one controller identifies as part of thesecond number of portable electrical energy storage devices at least oneportable electrical energy storage device which is more than halfway tobeing fully charged.
 28. The distribution, collection and chargingmachine of claim 27 wherein the at least one controller furtheridentifies as part of the second number of portable electrical energystorage devices any portable electrical energy storage devices which aremore than approximately 80-85 percent fully charged.
 29. Thedistribution, collection and charging machine of claim 21 wherein the atleast one controller identifies for accelerated charging at least oneportable electrical energy storage device which is less fully chargedthan at least another portable electrical energy storage device.
 30. Thedistribution, collection and charging machine of claim 29 wherein thecharging subsystem charges at least one more fully charged portableelectrical energy storage devices using energy from at least one lessfully charged portable electrical energy storage device.
 31. Thedistribution, collection and charging machine of claim 21 wherein the atleast one controller further identifies as part of the second number ofportable electrical energy storage devices at least one portableelectrical energy storage device which is to sacrifice charge.
 32. Thedistribution, collection and charging machine of claim 21 wherein the atleast one controller identifies the first number of portable electricalenergy storage devices currently removably located at a firstdistribution, collection and charging machine to be charged at anaccelerated rate is performed in response to detection of receipt of anat least partially discharged portable electrical energy storage deviceat a first one of the receivers of the distribution, collection andcharging machine at the first time.
 33. The distribution, collection andcharging machine of claim 21 wherein at least partially dischargedportable electrical energy storage device removably received at thefirst one of the receivers of the first distribution, collection andcharging machine is a battery sized to power a personal vehicle.
 34. Thedistribution, collection and charging machine of claim 21 furthercomprising: a first number sensors positioned and operable to detect apresence or absence of a portable electrical energy storage device atany of the receivers of the distribution, collection and chargingmachine; and a second number of sensors positioned and operable todetect a charge state of any portable electrical energy storage devicereceived in a respective one of the receivers of the distribution,collection and charging machine.
 35. The distribution, collection andcharging machine of claim 21 wherein the at least one controllerrepeatedly updates the portable electrical energy storage devicesidentified for charging at an accelerated rate.
 36. The distribution,collection and charging machine of claim 35 wherein the at least onecontroller repeatedly updates the portable electrical energy storagedevices identified for charging at an accelerated rate based at least inpart on a current charge condition of the portable electrical energystorage devices currently removably located in respective receivers ofthe distribution, collection and charging machine.
 37. The distribution,collection and charging machine of claim 35 wherein the at least onecontroller repeatedly updates the portable electrical energy storagedevices identified for charging at an accelerated rate based at least inpart on a presence or absence of the portable electrical energy storagedevices in the receivers of the distribution, collection and chargingmachine.
 38. The distribution, collection and charging machine of claim35 wherein the at least one controller repeatedly updates the portableelectrical energy storage devices identified for charging at anaccelerated rate based at least in part on a total number of portableelectrical energy storage devices currently removably received byrespective receivers of the distribution, collection and chargingmachine and a respective charge state of each of the portable electricalenergy storage devices currently removably received by respectivereceivers of the distribution, collection and charging machine.
 39. Thedistribution, collection and charging machine of claim 35 wherein the atleast one controller repeatedly updates the portable electrical energystorage devices identified for charging at an accelerated rate based atleast in part on a total cumulative charge available from a number ofportable electrical energy storage devices identified as available tosacrifice charge for charging the portable electrical energy storagedevices to be charged at the accelerated rate.
 40. The distribution,collection and charging machine of claim 21 wherein the chargingsubsystem is electrically coupled to receive electrical power from theelectrical service via mains of an electrical service panel supplied viaa metered electrical service from an external electrical grid, andwherein the charging subsystem includes a power converter operable toconvert at least one of a voltage, a phase or a current of electricalpower received from the metered electrical service to a form suitablefor charging a portable battery sized for use in a two wheeled personaltransportation vehicle.
 41. The distribution, collection and chargingmachine of claim 21 and further comprising: a number of electricalcontacts positioned in respective ones of the receivers to electricallycouple with any of the portable electrical energy storage devicesremovably received by the receiver; a first plurality of switchesoperable in response to the controller to selectively electricallycouple respective ones of the electrical contacts to the powerconverter; and a second plurality of switches operable in response tothe controller to selectively electrically couple respective ones of theelectrical contacts to other ones of the electrical contacts.
 42. Anontransitory computer-readable medium that stores instructionsexecutable by a processor to operate a distribution, collection andcharging machine for distribution, collection and charging of portableelectrical energy storage devices, by: identifying by the processor afirst number of portable electrical energy storage devices currentlyremovably located at a first distribution, collection and chargingmachine to be charged at an accelerated rate relative to at least asecond number of portable electrical energy storage devices currentlyremovably located at the first distribution, collection and chargingmachine, wherein identifying by the processor includes identifying foraccelerated charging at least one portable electrical energy storagedevice which is over halfway to being fully charged; causing a chargingsubsystem to charge the first number of portable electrical energystorage devices via an electrical service, where the electrical servicehas an associated limiting rating; and causing the charging system tocharge the charging subsystem the first number of portable electricalenergy storage devices via energy supplied from at least the secondnumber of portable electrical energy storage devices concurrently withthe charging of the first number of portable electrical energy storagedevices via the electrical service.
 43. The nontransitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 42 wherein the instructions furthercause the controller to identify the second number of portableelectrical energy storage devices as including any portable electricalenergy storage device which is below a first threshold of being fullycharged and which is also above a second threshold of being fullydepleted.
 44. The nontransitory computer-readable medium of claim 42wherein the processor identifies the first number of portable electricalenergy storage devices to be charged at an accelerated rate byidentifying for accelerated charging at least one portable electricalenergy storage device which is more fully charged than at least anotherportable electrical energy storage device.
 45. The nontransitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 44 wherein the instructions cause thecharging circuit to charge the at least one more fully charged portableelectrical energy storage device using energy from the at least one lessfully charged portable electrical energy storage device.
 46. Thenontransitory computer-readable medium of claim 42 wherein thecontroller identifies the first number of portable electrical energystorage devices to be charged at an accelerated rate by identifying foraccelerated charging at least one portable electrical energy storagedevice which is less fully charged than at least another portableelectrical energy storage device.
 47. The nontransitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 46 wherein the instructions cause theprocessor to cause the charging circuit to charge at least one morefully charged portable electrical energy storage devices using energyfrom at least one less fully charged portable electrical energy storagedevice.
 48. The nontransitory computer-readable medium of claim 42wherein the instructions further cause the processor to identify as partof the second number of portable electrical energy storage devices atleast one portable electrical energy storage device which is tosacrifice charge.
 49. The nontransitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 42 further comprising: repeatedly detecting insertion of anyportable electrical energy storage device at any of a plurality ofreceivers of the first distribution, collection and charging machine;determining a charge state of the inserted portable electrical energystorage device; and repeatedly updating the portable electrical energystorage devices identified for charging at an accelerated rate overtime.
 50. The nontransitory computer-readable medium of claim 49 whereinthe repeatedly updating the portable electrical energy storage devicesidentified for charging at an accelerated rate is based at least in parton a current charge condition of the portable electrical energy storagedevices currently removably located at the first distribution,collection and charging machine.
 51. The nontransitory computer-readablemedium of claim 49 wherein the repeatedly updating the portableelectrical energy storage devices identified for charging at anaccelerated rate is based at least in part on a presence or absence ofthe portable electrical energy storage devices at the firstdistribution, collection and charging machine.
 52. The nontransitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 49 wherein the repeatedly updating theportable electrical energy storage devices identified for charging at anaccelerated rate is based at least in part on a total number of portableelectrical energy storage devices currently removably located at thefirst distribution, collection and charging machine and a respectivecharge state of each of the portable electrical energy storage devices.53. The nontransitory computer-readable medium of claim 49 wherein therepeatedly updating the portable electrical energy storage devicesidentified for charging at an accelerated rate is based at least in parton a total cumulative charge available from a number of portableelectrical energy storage devices identified as available to sacrificecharge for charging the portable electrical energy storage devices to becharged at the accelerated rate.